Seems like 5mins since the 1895 game.  That was really entertaining and the fracas at the end when Manning went tonto was a particular highlight for me (when is he back? - would be great if it was a fixture against us).  


That game was a bit of a bad tempered game with ref Mikolauskas not endearing himself to either home or away fans and officials.   We seemed to struggle to handle pantomime villain James Brown who seemed to offload at will and also practice the dark arts without much intervention from the ref.    Hopefully we'll get a better ref for this one (but probably end up with him again or Vella) since it needs someone who can keep on top of things.  


We could do with once of Lawrence or Donaldson back to steady the ship when it gets fraught.  Lawrence has a groin problem and Donaldson is struggling with a chest/sternum knock.  Expect we might have Waine back from loan at London so an opportunity for him maybe.   

I wouldn't risk Donno or Lawrence with York in the cup coming up. I think everyone did enough to keep their place on Sunday. Sheffield walloped Batley a couple of weeks ago. They sound like they've been really poor this season. Expecting a tough game over there as they'll be up for it as always. But I think we should have enough to beat hem again before a massive game against York the week after.

Yeah the York game is the big one.   The question at Batley is how we avoid getting drawn into the niggle.  We just about managed to avoid that last time but it's their modus operandi at the moment.   Hallas at least managed to avoid getting himself binned versus Sheffield although he came close when that tip tackle went unpunished and players ran in.    You just know he'll be targeted as a player with a short fuse.  When he keeps his lid on he's an asset so hopefully he's learnt his lesson.

Always a tough one at Batley and with the York game on the horizon it really does set alarm bells ringing. Hopefully Noble's mantra of focusing on one game at a time will he adhered to.....the league is exceptionally close and we really want to keep up momentum. Bullseye you mentioned Lawrence and/or Donaldson to steady the ship and generally speaking i agree, but i was pleased to see we didn't fall into dissaray against Sheffield when in a tough spot. However i appreciate this isn't the same as Batley giving us a bit of afters. We have a good enough squad to go there and get a result.

Joe Vagana he's ok, he hates Rhinos!
Joe is in town - do we think he'll come to Batley?

He's looking well.   We could do with an impact forward!  

Wouldn't be suprised if Nobby ropes him in for a Team talk!

Ok, so The 17 that played last week did a good job. I'm just thinking about people returning from injury. Donaldson is possibly the only one. He would come in for Peposhi I would think. We've not had an update on Lawrence as far as I know. 

Losing Lawrence and replacing him with Donaldson leaves us down to three props - Michael, Bayliss and Mason.    That leaves us needing someone (probably Michael) doing a longer stint than normal like in the Sheffield match.  I wouldn't bring Donaldson in unless he's 100% fit as we can't afford to be down to three props and lose another forward on that slope.  If he is fit then no problem.


Is Waine still on loan to London or is he in the mix?  Could be a decent bench option as we'll need some impact.  With him too it depends on fitness, he's not looked that impressive so far.

Hmm. So Peposhi is now banned. Assuming Lawrence is not fit but Donno is, we're looking at something like:

Bayliss
Souter
Michael
Fulton
Gee
Donaldson


Lilley
Meadows


Ok
Blake
Hooley
Gill
Armitage


Bench is interesting 4 out of


Hallas
Mason
Ott
Waine
Lui

Peposhi can play this week it will be next week his ban comes into effect 

Would keep Peposhi in the squad then!